Letters to the Editor

Wednesday

Oct 10, 2012 at 2:00 AM

Sorry for omitting Biome Erickson

Sorry for omitting Biome Erickson

As editor of the Ashland Sneak Preview, I recently wrote a front page article on the mayoral race in Ashland between John Stromberg and Alan DeBoer. I definitely did not do my homework for that article, as I learned later that there is a third candidate on the ballot for that position. My apologies to Michael "Biome" Erickson for leaving him out.

Curtis Hayden

Ashland

Questions for those running for office

I have one question I hope will be honestly answered by all mayoral and City Council candidates seeking our votes: If elected or re-elected, will you pledge to do everything in your power — including active leadership and direction of the city manager and his staff — to protect the beautiful fountains of our watershed on Mount Ashland, the ancient old-growth Englemann spruce groves there, and the water supply of the 20,000 men, women and children you will be representing who rely upon this clean, pure water every day?

And specific questions for two candidates: to Mr. DeBoer: If re-elected, will you pledge to recuse yourself (as a former board member of the Mt. Ashland Association) from any and all legal discussions which involve the MAA and its no-mandate, unscientific, intransigent, divisive, misguided, unfunded, tree- and watershed-destroying expansion plan? To Mr. Lemhouse: Will you please explain in plain words to the citizens of Ashland your departure from the Medford Police Department?

Bryan Holley

Ashland

John Stromberg is good for Ashland

Thirty years ago Dot and I settled here mainly because Ashland citizens felt like family. We have stayed here because our Ashland family is so remarkable and collectively competent. Just look at our town with its world-class park, the theater and university, the vibrancy of our creative business and artistic community and varied restaurants and lodging.

Our Ashland family has felt even better the last four years due to the generous spirit of John Stromberg, who as "Mayor John" has given Ashland a world-class example of intelligent, friendly, collaborative leadership. John Stromberg is a highly practiced listener, one who trusts that working together with respect for one another we can achieve our many goals.

Mayor John is level-headed, he remains calm and confident under fire. As mayor, John Stromberg is always working toward what is best for Ashland. Mayor John trusts that together, with our many different skills and abilities we, the can-do citizen family of Ashland, will get it done in the best way possible.

Please join me and vote John Stromberg for mayor.

John Fisher-Smith

Ashland

Fire District 5 levy is wasteful

On reviewing the information in the slick, expensive flier sent to me as a resident of Fire District 5, I don't understand why the need for more money is so seemingly great. The department touts (and rightly so) their great review from the insurance ranking agency ISO; yet they present a desperate need to update equipment, including three new engines.

How is it that they managed to do such a good job with equipment so aged and lacking that they need $1.8 million from us? The first three trucks (the ones that would roll out first for a call) in their current fleet aren't anywhere near the pre-determined age of retirement to second-level duty. The second-level trucks are older, but there's no evidence to document their inability to meet needs — in fact, it seems the district is doing very well. And the recent flier, in and of itself, seems so wasteful. Please, let's watch the budget and spend our money, especially in these fragile economic times, more carefully. Vote no on Fire Levy 15-112.

Marilyn Bailey

Ashland

Anti-Voisin ad was offensive

In the Oct. 4 issue of the Sneak Preview, I read with dismay the advertisement by the organization Ashland Residents for a Great City Council. This was not primarily an ad in favor of the candidates they support but against Carol Voisin.

In the 13 years I have lived in Ashland I've admired the local politics, which have always seemed free of rancor and negativity and which emphasize the values of a preferred candidate. What have we come to when a full-page ad is taken out not for, but against a candidate?

This is a small town whose residents are intelligent and thoughtful voters, and many of us deplore the negativity present in national political campaigns. Do we really want this in our own community as well?

Personally, I am deeply offended by mean-spirited advertisements such as the one in Sneak Preview, and I cannot vote for anyone who lends their name to this kind of campaign tactic.